Agenda and draft minutes

The Licensing Panel considered the appointment of a Chairman for the meeting.

Resolved:

That Councillor Bamborough be appointed Chairman for the meeting.

Members are asked to declare any interests in the items under consideration and in doing so state:-

(1) the type of interest concerned

(2) the nature of the interest concerned; and

(3) whether they have or have not sat on a Planning Committee which has previously considered a planning application in respect of a licensed premises which is also subject to consideration for a premises licence as part of the agenda for this meeting.

If any Member requires advice on declarations of interests, they are advised to contact the Head of Democratic Governance in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

The Chairman of the Panel will summarise the procedure and announce the equal maximum amount of time for each party to speak for the hearing.

A.         Items 1 and 4 (b) will be undertaken in private session by the Panel and not in the Meeting Room.

B.         Items 2, 3 and 4(a) will be recommended to the Panel to be held in public.

C.         The Panel may decide to exclude the public from all or part of a hearing where it considers that the public interest in so doing outweighs the public interest in the hearing, or that part of the hearing, taking place in public. (This includes a party and any person assisting or representing a party)

The Chairman explained the procedure for the meeting including that an equal time limit of twenty minutes had been set for all parties.

To consider an application for a new Premises Licence for Mr Chef, 96-98 Talbot Road, Blackpool, FY1 1LR.

A. Application and representations submitted. To consider the attached report.

B. Determination of the application for a new Premises Licence – Mr Chef.

The Licensing Panel will indicate how the decision is to be communicated to interested parties.

The Licensing Panel considered an application for a New Premises Licence in respect of Mr Chef, 96-98 Talbot Road. The The application had requested Late Night Refreshment Monday to Sunday 23:00 – 05:00 with opening hours from 12.00 - 05.00 Monday to Sunday. The applicant had volunteered a number of conditions on the application form which would be attached to the Premises Licence if granted.

The applicant Mr Solima Fathy Salama accompanied by a friend was in attendance and made representations to the Licensing Panel in support of the application. Mr Salama highlighted that the application was in his view in line with other applications recently granted in the same area and that he was an experienced operator of late night take aways. Mr Salama also outlined that he would have CCTV and when necessary door supervisors to minimise crime and disorder.

Mr Lee Petrak, Licensing Authority, presented an objection to the application. Mr Petrak highlighted that although the previous Cumulative Impact Policy had expired, the area remained one with significant challenges in terms of crime and disorder. Mr Petrak highlighted the evidence in his written representation as to the high levels of crime and disorder particularly after 1am in the immediate vicinity of the proposed premises. Mr Petrak explained that this meant that the premises required an operator with a strong track record and contrasted this situation with the operation of Mr Salama’s previous premises Hot Stuff, Queen Street, where he had received a warning letter for failure to comply with the conditions on his licence namely the provision of door staff. Mr Petrak invited the Panel to consider carefully whether it could have faith that Mr Salama would operate his new premises in accordance with the conditions he had offered in the operating schedule and without undermining the Licensing Objectives.

Pc Emma Pritchard, Lancashire Constabulary, also spoke in objection to the application. PC Pritchard highlighted the Police’s support for the stance taken by the Licensing Authority. PC Pritchard explained that the Police had significant concerns about the high levels of crime and disorder within the Talbot Road area combined with the applicant’s poor track record in promoting the Licensing Objectives and adhering to agreed conditions. PC Pritchard highlighted that the failure to comply with door staff conditions had taken place on the Friday before Christmas one of the busiest days of the year.

Licensing Panel considered carefully the evidence submitted by all parties. It noted the significant issues experienced in the area in regards crime and disorder. It expressed concern with Mr Salama’s previous failure to comply with agreed conditions. It considered that to grant the application would not promote the Licensing Objectives particularly that of Prevention of Crime and Disorder and that there were not conditions or amendments that would ameliorate this particularly having regards to the applicant’s poor track record.

Resolved:

That the application for a Premises Licence in respect of Mr Chef, 96-98 Talbot Road be refused.